Lithgow Council has heralded the approval of a major Battery Energy Storage System at the site of the former Wallerawang Power Station as a strong signal of private sector confidence in the city's potential.
Lithgow Mayor, Maree Statham said, "It is not every day that there is formal Government approval and strong community support for a $400 million investment in this city. But the fact is we are presently witnessing an unprecedented level of investment in Lithgow in new forms of energy generation and storage with a number of major proposals currently being advanced."
"This $400 million project sends a strong message to others that there is real potential here, and it is a catalyst for exploring additional investment in other sectors which can provide new, diverse and sustainable employment opportunities. The Council's administration has already turned their attention to how the city can benefit through complementary economic activities made possible by the investment. We are stepping forward to encourage accelerated planning of the Wallerawang precinct as a significant local employment area. Also, we are at an advanced stage of developing a new water scheme for the city which can support future economic growth including water-intensive industries. "
"We see the need and the opportunity for a much more diverse economy, and the Council is investing great effort to re-position the city in this way. The reality is that it is extremely difficult to transform an economy, but these new activities do allude to the future of Lithgow. Bulk power, bulk water, transport connections and high-integrity data networks, together with available land, are strong attractors of growth."
